Franco Baresi, the legendary AC Milan captain and Italy World Cup winner, died on July 31, 2026, at the age of 66. His death was announced by AC Milan, the club where he spent his entire 20-year playing career. Baresi had been battling a serious lung illness for nearly a year before his passing.
How Did Franco Baresi Die?
AC Milan did not release an official cause of death in its statement. However, Baresi’s passing came after a prolonged health battle that began in August 2025, when the club announced he had undergone surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule. Following the procedure, he was prescribed treatment by a cancer specialist and began a course of immunotherapy. While Milan’s original statement stopped short of using the word “cancer,” the treatment plan described closely mirrors standard protocols used for lung cancer patients. His death nearly a year later, following this same illness, points to the lung condition as the cause.
Timeline of Franco Baresi’s Final Year
In August 2025, AC Milan confirmed that Baresi had undergone a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove a nodule from his lung after routine medical checks. The club described his recovery as smooth at the time and said doctors had recommended immunotherapy as a consolidation treatment.
Despite his diagnosis, Baresi continued to make public appearances tied to the club and to football more broadly. His last public appearance came in February 2026, when he served as a torchbearer at the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, carrying the torch into the San Siro alongside former Inter Milan defender Giuseppe Bergomi — the stadium where he spent his entire playing career.
Baresi’s death was confirmed by AC Milan on Friday, July 31, 2026.
AC Milan’s Tribute to Franco Baresi
AC Milan released an emotional statement following the news, saying the entire history of the club was “in tears” following his passing. The statement read that his example and integrity would be “forever etched into the Club’s DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is.”
The club added a further tribute, stating that everyone at Milan and all Milanisti must live up to Baresi’s memory, and that his legacy would guide the club “forever.”
AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale also paid tribute, saying that for generations, Baresi embodied the values, character, and excellence that define the club. Cardinale noted that even while battling his illness over the past year, Baresi remained present for the club and continued to represent what it means to wear the Milan colors.
Who Was Franco Baresi?
Born Franchino Baresi on May 8, 1960, in Travagliato, Italy, Baresi is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in the history of football. He joined AC Milan’s youth setup in 1972 and went on to make 797 appearances for the club across a 20-year senior career that lasted from 1977 to 1997.
During his time at Milan, Baresi won six Serie A titles, three European Cups/Champions League titles, two Intercontinental Cups, three European Super Cups, and four Italian Super Cups — 22 trophies in total. He captained the side for 15 seasons and remained loyal to the club even through two relegations to Serie B following a match-fixing scandal in the 1980s.
At the international level, Baresi was part of the Italy squad that won the 1982 World Cup. He later captained the national team to the 1994 World Cup final, where Italy lost to Brazil in a penalty shootout — a match in which Baresi played all 120 minutes just 25 days after undergoing knee surgery.
After retiring in 1997, Milan retired his number 6 shirt, making him the first player in club history to receive that honor. Pelé later named him one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers at FIFA’s centenary awards in 2004, and he was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2013. Baresi had served as Milan’s honorary vice-president since 2020.
Franco Baresi’s Final Interview
In his final interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport last year, Baresi reflected on his childhood love for the club, recalling that he was a “Milanista” from a young age. He said that arriving at Milanello, the club’s training center, as a 14-year-old felt like “entering paradise.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Franco Baresi die? Franco Baresi died on July 31, 2026, at the age of 66.
What illness did Franco Baresi have? Baresi underwent surgery in August 2025 to remove a pulmonary nodule and subsequently received immunotherapy prescribed by a cancer specialist. AC Milan has not officially confirmed a cause of death.
How many trophies did Franco Baresi win with AC Milan? Baresi won 22 trophies with AC Milan, including six Serie A titles and three European Cup/Champions League titles.
Did Franco Baresi play in a World Cup final? Yes. Baresi captained Italy in the 1994 World Cup final, which Italy lost to Brazil on penalties.
We’ll continue updating this story as AC Milan and the football world share more tributes — check back for the latest, and drop your memories of Franco Baresi in the comments below.